Ex-cop sentenced for child abuse images

A retired police officer who spent three decades serving with South Wales Police has been sentenced for taking hundreds of indecent images of a young girl – after manipulating her into silence by telling her officers “would not believe her”.

Gareth Humphreys, 75, from Ashbrook, Brackla, Bridgend, was found with more than 5,000 category C indecent images when police investigated. Most were of a girl under 13 years old.

The shocking case came to light when the brave victim confided in friends about what had happened. Officers discovered 700 unique images and videos of the girl on four electronic devices belonging to Humphreys, including laptops and phones. The images showed her in various states of undress.

Newport Crown Court heard on Thursday that the victim had asked Humphreys to delete the images – but he refused.

When detectives examined his internet history, they found disturbing search terms including “older men strip young girls”. Even more chilling was how he had weaponised his former position, telling the child not to trust authority figures like police officers because they wouldn’t believe her.

After his arrest, Humphreys dismissed the images as “innocuous” – but later pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent images of children.

The victim’s mother delivered a heartbreaking statement to the court, describing the devastating toll on her daughter’s life.

She said: “She wanted to kill herself. She feels guilty and dirty for not stopping him. She’s still only a child and didn’t know any different. I can’t get the images or photos I have seen out of my head. I wake up with nightmares, screaming and crying which is extremely frightening for my children. He’s taken her childhood away and took her away from her family.”

Defence barrister Hashim Salmman told the court that Humphreys had served 30 years with South Wales Police and six years with the Ministry of Defence before retiring. He said the 75-year-old, who has three adult children, is in poor physical health but has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Recorder Aidan Eardley KC didn’t mince words when passing sentence.

He said: “I have no doubt your motivation was sexual. You concealed what you were doing. You told her not to trust authority figures and dissuaded her from reporting concerns she had.”

Humphreys received 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He must complete a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement and was made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order – all for 10 years.